Well, I'm afraid they won't listen to me about keeping her indoors only! Today, I had an argument with my mom because of this; she thinks she cannot get Peggy used to the indoors only after she has been outdoors. I told her that's nonsense, but she doesn't believe me. Besides, their house is not big and it's all on ground level, so she thinks it's impossible to keep her indoors. I'm upset about this.

Unfortunately, in Germany it's still a very common opinion that only outdoor cats are happy cats. From time to time, my co-workers would give me subtle hints that it's animal abuse what I'm doing, keeping my girls indoors only. Lily's first humans are thinking the same. I'm surprised they gave her to me, though.

At least my mother listened to me when I told her how important it is to have her spayed as soon as possible. Originally, her vet has set up an appointment for January, which I think is way too late. She'll be 9 months then, and can easily get pregnant before that time. Besides, as they are living in the forest with no other (fertile) male cats around, Peggy will probably walk long distances when she's in heat, which will expose her to even more dangers. I hate that thought!

Peggy is 5 and half months now, and my mother started lamenting she's too young for a surgery, and that she hates the thought. But I think in the end she knew that I was right. Luna was 5 months old when she got spayed, and there were no problems at all.

BTW, according to my mother, Peggy was acting absolutely normal today, played and ate and purred, and was cuddly. She's doing the elevator butt thing already, so I think she may be getting into heat soon.

Kirsten